Bulkhead door



May 2, 1939 J. .1. MAscucH Er AL 2,156,635 K BULKHEAD DOOR Filed Jan. 17, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 2 E l f l,

INVENTOR JOSEP/1' J. MAscz/CH ALfx/.s 6. GoRsH/rof'r Patented May 2, 1939 UNITED ASTATES PATENT OFFICE BULKHEAD DOOR Newark, N. J., and Alexis S. N. Y.; assignors to Breeze Joseph J. Mascuch,

Gorshkoi, New York,

Corporations, Inc., Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 17, 1935, Serial No. 2,152

8 Claims.

. of the doors is an appreciable factor in the weight of the vessel in view of the large number of doors used. It is necessary to provide doors of relatively great strength to withstand the stresses of service. Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a bulkhead door or hatch cover of great strength' and rigidity, but which will b e extremely light in weight with relation toits strength. .y v v It has been common practice to form such doors of solid metal. This gives the desired strength but greatly increases the weight.` A specific object of this invention is to provide a door formed of two relatively thin panels having a re-inforcing member therebetween.

e It is desirable to have the doorsand hatch covers airtight and watertight so that upon being closed one or more compartments may be effectively sealed. A further object of the invention is to provide a light Weight door which will be airtight and watertight even though the air or water be under pressure.

A further object-of this invention is to provide such a door or closure member fabricated en# tirely from stainless'steel. A further object of this invention is to provide a closure member, the parts of which may be joined into a homo.- geneous whole entirely by welding in order to ,eliminate the use of removable securing elements such as rivets, bolts, screws, etc.

The invention consists .of the combination, construction and arrangement of parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, is illustrated one formof embodiment of the invention, in which drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a bulkhead door, partly broken away, to show the interior construction Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, taken approximately on line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section, partly broken `away and partly' in elevation, taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in horizontal section, takenA approximately on line II- of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and illustrating the handles of the door; i Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in horizontal section, taken approximately on line 5-5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and illustrating the means to retain the door in closed position; 10 Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in horizontal section, taken approximately on line 6-6 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and illustrating the air pressure test vent;

lFigure '7 is a plan view of a hatch cover, partly broken away, to show the interior construction;

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical section,l partly broken away and partly in elevation, taken approximately on line 8-8 of Figure 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified form of hatch cover, partly broken away, and partly in section, taken on line' 9-9 of Figure 10, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and,

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in vertical section, taken approximately on line I-IIJ of Figure 9, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, II designates the front panel or skin of the closure member, whether the closure member be door orhatch cover. The panel II is relatively thin and is preferablyy made of stainless-steel, as are all of iff thel metal parts hereinafter described. The front panel II` is slightly longer and wider than a complementary rear panel I2. The ypanels IIV and I2 are separated by a corrugated re-inforcer'1 ment I3. The corrugated member I3 may be made in one piece but for ease of handling in the fabrication of the door, it may be made sections. The panels II and I2 are secured the member I3 bynumerous spot-Welds I4. In g the fabrication of the door o'ne panel is welded 45 to the corrugation I3 and then the other panel. When the second panel is Welded the open space between the panels may be temporarily filled with a conductive agent in order to permit the welding operation.

A re-inforcing rim strip I5, as best shown in the enlarged detail Figures 4 and 5, is applied around the4 edge of the panel II and secured thereto by means of a seam-weld I6. In the fabrication of the door the strip I5 and the other 55 formed in segments and the segments buttwelded together to form a continuous member. Around the edge of the panel I2 is secured a continuous rear angle member I1. The members I5 and I1 may be secured to their respective panels before the same are welded to the corrugations I3. The corrugations I3 are co-extensive with the panel I2 and the panel II projects past .the corrugations I3.

In order to seal the space between the panels II and I2 a continuous sealing angle member I8 is applied around the edge of the door. The member I8 is welded to the re-inforcement l1 and to the projecting portion of the panel I I. In

this way the body of the door is rendered airtight and watertight. Furthermore, since the panels II and I2 are rigidly secured to the corrugations I3, the door is waterproof even though one panel were to be punctured. In order to cause a leak through the body of the door it would -be necessary to puncture both panels and the corrugations I3.

Around the edge of the panel I2 is secured a channel member I9 and opposite the member I9 is secured .a gasket retaining strip 20 which is carried by the sealing member I8. Disposed in the annular recess formed by themembers I9 and tially rectangular 2U is a continuous gasket 2I which may be formed of rubber or other suitable composition. When the gasket 2I is applied to the door it is substanin cross-section. When the door is in closed position as shown in Figures 3,

4 and 5, a detent 22 is formed in the gasket 2I by pressure thereof against a flange 23 of an L- shaped frame 24. This forms a seal between the door and the frame. As previously stated, the frame 24 and all of the other continuous members surrounding the door are pre-formed in segments and butt-welded together. 'I'he frame 24 is secured to the bulkhead 25 around the opening formed therein to receive the door.

The door is carried on hinges which have a hinge pad 26 secured to the frame 24 and the hinge blade 21 secured to the door near the edge thereof. The hingesare secured, as are all-other metal parts, by appropriate welds. A hinge pin 28 is provided to hold the two parts of the hinge together and the opening to receive -the pin 28 is enlarged to permit movement of the hinge blade 21 with relation to the pad 26 when the gasket 2l is forced against the ange 23 by the pressure members hereinafter described.

In order to force the gasket 2l into sealing contact with the ange 23 a number of pressure members are provided around the door. A sleeve 29 is disposed through the frame 24 and is-secured thereto by arc welds 30. Carried by the sleeve 29 are threaded bushings 3l. A rotatable cylinder 34 is carried by the bushings 3I and is provided with an extending handle 33. The under side of the handle 33 is formed with an inclined Contact face 32 adapted to ride'against a keeper plate 35 carried by the door. `The keeper plate 35 is provided with an inclined face corresponding to the incline of the contact face 32 so that when the handle 33 is operated increasing pressure will be applied against the plate 35 thus forcing the gasket 2I against the vflange 23.

The inner or lower end of the cylinder 34 is squared at 36 to receive an inner handle 31 which l 2,156,685 elements of the frame hereinafter described are same time provide a lubricant. Accordingly, a threaded bore 40 is formed in the cylinder 34. At the upper end of the bore 40 is formed a cross-bore 4I to permit the passage of packing or lubricant. A threaded plunger 42 is carried in the bore 40 and is provided with a slot 43 in the head of the plunger 42, so that the same may be removed or inserted with the aid of a screwdriver. The packing and lubricant may be introduced into the bore 40 in the form of cartridges and forced out through the cross-bore 4I through the pressure of the plunger 42. d

Inv order to maintain the pressure member in either open or closed position, the inner handle 31 has formed therein a recess 44 which carries a spring 45 and a ball 46. When the handle 31 is in the open position the ball 46 is adapted to enter a detent (not shown) in order to prevent casual movement of the handle 31, and its associated parts. It will be clear that the presssure member may be operated by movement of either handle 33 or 31. When the pressure member is in the closed position shown in Figure 3 the resilience of the gasket 2| will maintain the elements 33 and 31 in position.

In Figures 4 and 5 are illustrated the handles and locking means. Plates 41 are secured to the outer surface of the door and carry a handle 48 to permit the opening of the door from the outside. On the inside of the door a channel member 49 is secured to the ange formed by the members I1 and I8, and a handle 50 is secured on the channel member 49. In order to lock the door a hasp plate 5I is secured to the outside thereof and is provided with a liner 52. A hasplink 53 is secured by a staple 54 to the frame 24 and is adapted to surround the liner 52. A pin or lock 55 is disposed through the liner 52 to secure the hasp link 53 in position.

In the construction of vessels having airtight doors separating various compartments, it is necessary to test the compartments and the doors from time to time. For this purpose means are provided whereby air may be pumped into a compartment to test the same. In Figure 6 is illustrated the Vent for the test means. A sleeve 56 is secured in the frame 24 and is closed by a cap 51 having a sealing washer 58 held in position by a metallic washer 59 and a `stud 60. Retaining collars 6I .joined by a chain 62 are disposed on the sleeve 56 and cap 51 to prevent loss of the cap 51 upon removal. When it is desired to make a test the door may be sealed and air under pressure.introduced into the compartment through the sleeve 56.

The keeper plates 35 have their faces inclined in a direction so that the handles 33 are operated downwardly in sealing the door. Since all of the handles 33 are operated downwardly a considerable strain on the door is createdthrough the friction set up. In order that such strain may not be borne entirely by the hinges a wedge 63 (Figure 2) is carried by the pressure member I8 at the lowermost point of the door. 'I'he wedge 63 rides against the flange 23 of the frame 24. Immediately under the Wedge 63 the frame 24 is re-inforced by an inclined member 64 so as to prevent undue strain on the frame at that point.

In Figure 7 is illustrated a cover for a hatch. The structure of the cover itself is identical with the structure previously disclosed, except that the hatch cover may be substantially square instead of rectangular. Since the hatch cover is used in a horizontal position the frame 65 is not angular but is straight and is secured to the deck 66 by means of the welds 30. A hinge pad 61 is carried on the frame 65 and a hinge plate 68 is carried by the hatch covers. The usual hinge pin 28 is used to secure the parts together.

The particular hatch cover disclosed in Figures 'l and 8 is adapted to be opened only from the top side, and accordingly only handles 48 are provided, which handles are disposed at the corners. A plurality of pressure members `are provided around the edge civ the door and comprise a yoke 69 secured to the frame 65, which yoke 69 pivctally carries a retaining bolt 10 having a compression nut 1|.adapted to seat in a recess 12 of a keeper plate 13 carriedby the hatch' cover. When it is desired to open the hatch the nut 1I may be loosened and the bolts 10 swung on their pivots to clear the keeper plates 13, as shown in the lower left-hand corner of Figure 7.

A brace 14 is carried by the under side of the hatch cover and has one end removably secured to an eye 1E also. When the hatch is 'open the loose end of the brace 14 is swung to a position to engage the frame or the deck to maintain the hatch cover in open position at any desired angle.

In Figure 9 is illustrated a modified form o! hatch cover adapted to be opened from either side. The physical structure o! the cover is the same as the hatch cover disclosed in Figure '1 except that the strips i1 and l5 are made considerably wider so that' the pressure members may be disposed therethrough.

The pressure member is illustrated in Figure 10 and is a modiiied `form of the pressure member shown in Figure 3. A flanged sleeve 16 is disof which is formed at .70' welding comprising posed through the hatch cover and is secured in place by a complementaryy collar 11. The usual bushings 3l are provided which vcarry the spindle 34. An upper handle 18 is formed as an extension of the spindle 34 and a lower handle 19 is secured to the lower end of the spindle 34 by the nut 38. The handle 19 is provided with an extension 80 having an inclined face 8l adapt ed to enter a recessed keeper 82, the contact face an angle, and which is carried by the frame 65. Operation of either handle 18 or 19 will enter or remove the extension 80 from thekeeper 82 to seal or to unseal the hatch* cover. The same means for packing and maintaining the pressure member in `open position disclosed in Figure 3 are used in the construction shown in Figure 10.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:`

1. A closure fabricated from a plurality of 'parts and formed into a unitary structure by welding comprising a pair of spaced panels, corrugated spacing and re-iniorcing means between the panels, re-lnforcing members disposed around the edges of the panels, a sealing member between the panels adjacent the edges there-` of, complementary gasket retaining strips secured at the edges of the panels and a continuous gasket carried by said retaining strips.

2. A closure fabricated from a plurality f parts and formed into a unitary structure by a front' panel, a rear panel oi less area than the front panel, a corrugated which maybe carried by the cover spaced from the right-angle member.

carried between ber, said retainer being re-inforcing spacer co-extensive in'size with the the other flange secured to the L-shaped-vstrip` o n the rear panel.

' 3. A closure fabricated from a plurality ot parts and formed into a unitary structure by welding .comprising a of less area than the front panel, a corrugated re-inforcing spacer co-extensive in size with the rear panel disposed between the panels, a reinforcng rim strip adjacent the edge of the front panel, a re-inforcing L-shaped strip secured at the edge of the rear panel, a right-angle sealing member having one ange secured to the projecting surface of the frontpanel and the other the rear paneland a rightfront panel, a rear panel flange secured to the L-shaped, strip on the rear panel, a channel member carried by the` front panel, a gasket retainer carried by the sealing member and the channel member and the gasket retainer.

4. A closurecomprising a panel portion,l a right-angle member formed in segments and a gasket. carried between butt-welded together to form a continuous rim around the panel portion, a spaced from the right-angle member, a gasket carried between the said'two members anda gasket retainer carried by one of the members.

5. A closure comprising a panel portion. a

right-angle member formed in segments andv butt-welded together lto form a continuous rim around .the panel portion, a channel member spaced from the right-angle member, a gasket carried between gasket retainer carried by one of the members, said retainer being formed with an odset portion to lie against the gasket.

6. A closure comprising a panel portion, a right-angle member formed in segments and butt-welded together to form a continuous rim around the panel portion, a channel member spaced from the right angle-member, a gasket carried between the said two members and a gasket retainer carried by one of the members, said retainer being formed with an odset portion to lie against the gasket and anl angular portion adjacent the odset.

'1. A closure comprising a panel portion, a rightFangle member forming-a continuous rim around the panel portion, a channel member a gasket carried between the said. two members and a gasket retainer carried by one of the members. said retainer being formed with an odset portion to lie against` the gasket. v

8. A closure comprising a panel portion, a right-angle member forming a continuous rim around the panel portion, a channel member spaced from the right-angle member, a gasket the said, two ymembers and a gasket retainer carried by said right-angle memormed withan odset portion to lie against the gasket.

JOSEPH J. MASCUCH.

channel memberthe said-two members and a 

